Chapter 7: Distraction

Elena lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, willing herself to get up. Two days had passed since the attack, but she hadn't set foot outside her room. Just the thought of facing anyone made her feel raw and exposed. Her whole body felt numb, heavy with the shame and embarrassment that seemed to coil around her stomach. Her clothes felt heavy and stale, her hair fell limp. She knew she needed to shower, but the idea of facing her own reflection again felt too overwhelming. So instead, she pulled on a clean pair of sweatpants and an oversized sweater, tying her hair back in a loose ponytail.

Maybe if she stayed on the couch and drowned out her thoughts with a Hallmark movie marathon, she could avoid everything for just a little longer.

She shuffled downstairs and sank into the corner of the couch, curling up with a pillow and grabbing the remote.

Jenna came in just as she had settled on a random romantic comedy. When Jenna saw her, she softened, pausing before making her way over to the couch.

"Mind if I join you?" Jenna asked gently, trying to catch her eye.

Elena gave a small shrug, not trusting her voice. She hadn't spoken to anyone since Thursday, and part of her didn't know if she could. She nodded toward the empty seat beside her and kept her gaze fixed on the TV, hoping Jenna would understand her silence.

They sat there watching the movie in silence, Jenna letting the space between them feel easy, natural. Twenty minutes passed, and Elena felt herself beginning to relax just a little, her mind drifting to the safety of the plot, where problems were simple and love was easy.

It was a lie of course. Love was never easy. It was painful. Nevertheless, the ludicrous plot line was enough to keep her from her thoughts.

Then, Jenna's phone buzzed, the shrill tone breaking the silence.

"Damn," Jenna muttered, glancing apologetically at Elena. "I have to head into work. I should be back in time for dinner. We'll talk then, okay?" She reached out, resting a hand on Elena's shoulder, her voice soft. "Maybe you could invite Stefan over, if you want some company while I'm gone?"

Elena's throat tightened, and her breath hitched. "Um… yeah… sure," she mumbled, her voice shaky, barely holding itself together. She bit her lip, wishing Jenna would just leave before she broke completely.

After Jenna left, the fragile control Elena had held onto snapped. She curled into herself, burying her face in her hands, the warmth of her tears slipping down her cheeks. She didn't want to think about Stefan, about any of it, but it was like her mind wouldn't let her escape. She sank deeper into the couch, feeling herself getting pulled under until her body grew exhausted, and eventually, the sadness faded into a kind of hollow sleep.

When she next stirred, it was to the sound of a loud knock at the door, followed by a familiar voice calling her name. Elena blinked, disoriented, struggling to wake herself up. Her heart skipped as the voice grew clearer—Damon's voice. In fear or relief, she wasn't entirely sure.

"Elena! Come on, open up!"

She dragged herself up from the couch, wiping the traces of tears from her face and running her fingers through her tangled hair. She didn't want anyone to see her like this. She wasn't sure she could handle the pity in Damon's eyes again.

With a deep breath, she shuffled over to the door and peered through the peephole, making sure he was alone. After a moment's hesitation, she unlocked the door and opened it.

Damon's eyebrows shot up in surprise, clearly not expecting her to actually answer. "Wow, look at that," he said, masking his surprise with sarcasm. "Welcome to the land of the living, Sleeping Beauty!"

She glared, her voice coming out sharper than she intended. "What do you want, Damon?"

The edge in her tone surprised even her, and she immediately regretted it, her confidence vanishing as quickly as it had come. She dropped her gaze to the floor, fidgeting nervously. "Sorry," she muttered.

Damon's face softened. "It's okay," he said, his voice gentle. "Can I come in?"

She gave a small nod, stepping aside. Damon walked past her, glancing around the room, but she could tell he was sizing her up, too. She locked the door before slipping back to the couch, curling up in her spot and letting him settle in, as he picked up the remote and turned on the TV.

"So," he said casually, trying to lighten the tension. "What are we watching?"

She didn't answer, keeping her focus on the screen. Damon chose a movie anyway, flicking over to "While You Were Sleeping."

"Good choice," he said, half to himself. He knew it was one of her favorites and, by the slight shift in her expression, she seemed satisfied with his choice. Though she didn't say anything to confirm it.

As they sat in silence, Damon kept a respectful distance, not pushing her, letting her stay wrapped up in her own quiet. After a while, Elena started to fidget, unable to keep still. Damon took the cue and got up, wandering into the kitchen without a word, returning moments later with a cup of hot chocolate and a plate of cookies. He placed them on the coffee table and retook his seat without making a fuss.

She didn't say a word as she picked up the mug, taking a small sip. She felt the warmth spread through her hands and her chest, softening her stiff exterior. She didn't thank him, but her face softened just a bit, and Damon took it as a win.

When the movie ended, Elena remained seated and Damon figured she wanted the distraction to continue. He reached for the remote again, this time opting for something other than a romcom, "The Lord of the Rings."

They watched in silence as the scenes played out, and for the first time since Thursday, Elena felt a faint semblance of peace settle over her. Apart from a quick toilet break, Elena barely moved from her spot.

When the members of the soon to be fellowship arrived in Rivendell, her eyelids grew heavy, and before she knew it, she had drifted off, her body finally relaxing into the couch.

Damon watched her as she fell asleep, her features softening as she drifted into unconsciousness. He got up quietly, careful not to disturb her, and draped a blanket over her, making sure not to touch Elena.

Once he was sure she was comfortable, he turned off the TV, glancing back at her for a moment before heading into the kitchen to tidy up. He washed her cup and plate, leaving no trace of his visit. He cast one last look at her sleeping form before he slipped out, closing the door behind him.

--

Back at the Boarding House, Caroline had returned from her hunting trip, carrying a few pouches of deer blood she'd managed to find. She'd was determined not to let Stefan waste away.

She pushed a small beaker of blood through the bars, watching Stefan for any sign that he'd take it, but he remained silent, still.

"Come on, Stefan," she muttered, pacing anxiously outside the cell. "Just a little? For me?"

Damon came down the stairs, catching the edge in her voice as she continued pacing. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "He giving you the silent treatment again?"

Caroline whirled around, annoyance flashing in her eyes. "He won't drink. Won't even move."

"Shocking," Damon deadpanned, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You'd think he'd be thrilled to drink lukewarm deer blood."

Caroline huffed, turning back to the cell. "I just want him to be okay," she muttered, more to herself than to Damon.

Damon rolled his eyes, muttering, "Don't we all," under his breath. He was still carrying the warmth of his quiet afternoon with Elena, and the last thing he wanted was to let Stefan's situation intrude on it. But as Caroline kept on about Stefan's condition, pacing like she owned the place, his patience wore thin.

"Enough," he snapped, cutting off her tirade. "He doesn't need us hovering over him every second."

Caroline stopped mid-sentence, fixing Damon with a frustrated glare. "Don't you care at all?"

"Caroline, I'm not in the mood," Damon said, his voice dripping with frustration. He sighed, running a hand over his face. "I'm going to bed. Go find someone else to mother for the night."

Without another word, he turned and climbed the stairs, skipping his usual drink and heading straight to his room, shutting the door on the chaos he'd left behind.

For tonight, he needed the silence.

--

Elena woke to the soft sound of the front door creaking open. Blinking, she shifted and sat up. The blanket, Damon must have placed over her, now pooling around her waist. Her body felt sore and heavy, but the brief sleep had dulled the sharp edges of her emotions, even if just a little. She watched as Jenna came into the living room, carrying a large brown paper bag that had the unmistakable aroma of Chinese takeout.

"Hey," Jenna greeted softly, her eyes catching the shadows under Elena's eyes. "I brought us some food. Thought it might make up for me having to run off earlier."

Elena forced a small smile, one that felt strange on her face but was necessary to reassure Jenna. "Thanks," she murmured, her voice still hoarse. She pulled the blanket closer around herself, a subtle shield she wasn't quite ready to give up.

Jenna set the takeout on the coffee table and sat down beside her, pulling out a couple of white boxes and chopsticks. "I got your favorites—sesame chicken and fried rice."

Elena reached for a box, opening it slowly and poking at the rice with her chopsticks. She wasn't exactly hungry, but the smell was comforting, and Jenna's presence was like a quiet reassurance she hadn't realized she needed.

After a few bites, Jenna looked at her, eyes gentle but searching. "So… if you feel up to it, we could talk. About anything. About… what happened on Thursday."

The words hung in the air, heavy and difficult, and Elena felt her throat tighten.

Elena took a deep breath, looking away, keeping her expression as neutral as she could. "Maybe not tonight," she replied softly, not wanting to concern Jenna but unable to bring herself to discuss it.

Jenna nodded, sensing she was pushing against a boundary. "Alright," she said, her tone understanding. She reached into the bag and took out an extra fortune cookie, setting it beside Elena's food as a small gesture.

They sat in silence for a while, Jenna eating her food and glancing occasionally at Elena, who picked at her rice with a distracted look. After a few more bites, Jenma cleared her throat, changing the subject, "The girls stopped by last night?"

When Elena tensed, Jenna hesitated, measuring her words, "They were worried, you know, after your fall. They just wanted to check in."

Elena gave a tight nod, her mind spinning at the thought of Bonnie and Caroline showing up, probably searching for answers she wasn't ready to give.

Elena managed a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah… I'll call them tomorrow," she said quietly. The words were a lie, an assurance that she was fine, even if the truth was far from it.

After a moment, Jenna leaned over and gave her a gentle hug, careful not to push too hard. "Whenever you're ready, I'm here," she murmured.

Jenna stood up, gathering the takeout boxes and empty wrappers, leaving Elena with her fortune cookie.

As she walked away, Elena exhaled, her shoulders relaxing ever so slightly.